Today show's Lara Vella knocks back a blue cocktail while speaking to fans ahead of State of Origin

The stage is set for Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons. 

And it seems no one is quite as excited for kick-off than Today show reporter Lara Vella, 34, who knocked back a cocktail live on-air at 6.30am.  

The blonde toasted to the Origin opener by drinking a large blue cocktail while interviewing the manager of a 24-hour bar in Sydney’s Star casino.   

‘I want to introduce you to John. He’s the venue manager and he has whipped up something special for us. It’s a Blues-themed cocktail,’ she enthused. 

Lara was surrounded by a crowd of rowdy NSW fans, while a troupe of cheerleaders performed a dramatic routine in the background. 

‘I will take a sip of this,’ the reporter declared as she took a swig from the straw. 

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere! Today show’s Lara Vella, 34, drank a blue cocktail on breakfast television while speaking to rowdy NSW fans ahead of State of Origin opener on Wednesday 

Getting the party started! Lara was surrounded by a crowd of rowdy NSW fans, while a troupe of cheerleaders performed a dramatic routine in the background  

She immediately grimaced after tasting the alcoholic beverage, telling the camera: ‘That is rocket fuel, yep!’  

Lara’s playful on-air antics have made headlines over the years, the most memorable being in September 2019 when she abruptly walked off set during a weather broadcast.   

The journalist was forced to cut short her weather broadcast in order to catch a flight, and decided to dramatically toss her script in the air and rush off-set to make it to the airport on time. 

That’ll put hairs on your chest! She immediately grimaced after tasting the alcoholic beverage, telling the camera: ‘That is rocket fuel, yep!’

‘Guys, that is it for me because I have to hightail it to the airport and we are off to Bowen, and this week you will see everything from redheads, snags, mangoes… that is all I have to say!’ Lara announced.

‘I will leave you to read the rest of the weather. I’m out of here, guys. That is a good tease,’ she added.

Lara’s colleagues, Deborah Knight, Georgie Gardner and Tom Steinfort, were left puzzled by her sudden exit.

‘I thought you were here for the day. Goodness me, clocked off? Well, at least you’re working. Thank you, Lara!’ Deborah said with a laugh. 

Despite her co-hosts acting surprised, Lara’s walk-off appears to have been a lighthearted joke for entertainment value.  

‘I’m out of here!’ Lara’s playful on-air antics have made headlines over the years, the most memorable being in September 2019 when she abruptly walked off set during a weather broadcast (pictured)